I'm just going to carry plenty of petrol and grub. Both hot and cold food and some beer. It is only planned to be a day trip so I guess we can survive on sandwiches if need be.

I'm just looking forward to meeting some fellow RIBbers, doing a decent jaunt round the IOW and maybe getting a few beers in.

The only decent Meal/Boozing pubs with landing facilities I have found during the last year around the Solent have been the Folly Inn on the River Medina at Cowes and the Ferry at Langstone. Any other suggestions would be glady accepted, but they need to have decent free mooring insight of the boats.

Just come back from the monthly RIBnet gathering..."Down the Pub" and a suggestion of Alum bay was mentioned for pick-niking. Due to the bulky nature of BBQ equipment and the shear numbers of people involved, might I make the suggestion to have, cold food either shore based (preffered) or afloat if slightly rougher, Alum Bay is Ideal for both, and to have the BBQ and beer on the mainland somewhere. What do you think?

Biggles, I think I'm the only RIBnetter to have ever seen you. Everyone down the Pub said you were rather elusive, are they right?

Had a quick look for landing sites at the weekend. There are a number of nice little bays/beaches but it all depends on the wind/wave direction/strength. We eventually ended up anchoring in Whitesands Bay which was a nice little spot just south of Bembridge under Culver cliff. The biggies could anchor off and the littles could beach on sand. There is a small shop on the beach which, I think, sells basic food but I'm not sure on that.

For the smaller boats, I think the main "obstacle" on the trip is St Catherines Point. The chop there can be quite fierce but only for a short time . Best to aim to be there at slack water if possible.

Depending on the tide, you can always nip into Bembridge Harbour and beach just on the left as you go in again on sand. There is definately a cafe there within 50m

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Peter (nick, nick) T

Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill! Bullshit and brilliance only come with age and experience.

Must admit your also the first RIB Net member I've met face to face. They must have all missed me because the boat is so stealthy !!!!

I've been contributing to these pages infrequently over the last year, and even wanted to go on last years Solent Poker Run, but after making some enquiries felt my boat wasn't really capable.

I also work shifts and up until recently seemed to do most of my RIBbing midweek. Its suprising how few leisure boats you see out at then, even in a busy place like the Solent. You would be lucky to see a couple most of the time although they do seem to come out in the evening. It also meant I was unable to tag along on your weekend events.

Now I have planned to get more weekends off and am starting to meet good people like yourself, although I do miss the emptiness of the midweek Solent at times. It can get a bit hairy when the place is full of very large yachts tacking all over the place.

I'm going to have a think about the landing sites and choose a suitable one over the next few days.

The easy option would be to take cold food, and if the weather is good then that shouldn't be a problem.

I know the cafe at Bembridge, and we could even have a BBQ on the beach there. Its sheltered, is a fair size for landing boats, but can get busy with sun worshippers and other boats. I also discounted it initially as its near the end of the Round Island trip, and I just fancied somewhere more near the centre of the route.

RIBald thanks for your info on St Catherines point. Is there a particular place to pass that point, for an easier ride, even if we have to go some way out.

If so do you have a waypoint I could apend to the route?

In your opinion is Whitesands Bay a better place to lunch or at Bembridge itself ?

I might take a look there myself this weekend if the sea is kind.

Hightower I also like the idea of Alum Bay, should make for some considered thinking, whilst we eat our grub, prior to rounding the point !

love too but i am a bit of a chicken newbie. I have been to iow so far last trip Tuesday 14th evening with girlfreind and kids but the silly cow got too scared and now she wont come out to play any more.